Alzheimer’s by the Numbers

A Growing Number of Families Are Affected

The 2026 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report estimates that about 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. That is roughly 1 in 9 people in this age group. Nearly two-thirds are women.

The Diagnosis Affects More Than One Person

Dementia care is often provided at home by spouses, adult children, relatives, and friends. Caregiving may include transportation, appointments, medication organization, meals, personal care, safety supervision, financial tasks, and emotional support.

CDC data also show that dementia caregiving can last for years and may affect the caregiver’s own physical and mental health. This is why caregiver education, respite, support groups, and realistic care planning are part of good dementia care — not optional extras.

Dementia Is Not Normal Aging

Risk increases with age, but dementia is not an inevitable part of getting older. The CDC describes dementia as a decline in memory, thinking, or decision-making that interferes with everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.

That distinction matters: new or worsening cognitive changes deserve evaluation because some causes of memory or thinking problems may be treatable, while early identification of a neurodegenerative condition can create more time for planning and discussion of treatment options.

2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

This short video summarizes major findings from the 2026 national report. The video remains hosted by its original publisher on YouTube; the Alliance is embedding the official player rather than copying or re-uploading the video.

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Watch on YouTube ↗

The thumbnail stays visible until the visitor chooses to play the video. If an embedded player is blocked, Watch on YouTube opens the same official video.

National Numbers Become Local Family Decisions

Statistics describe the scale of dementia, but families experience it one decision at a time: whether to seek an evaluation, how to talk about driving, how to make the home safer, where to find respite, what treatment questions to ask, and how to prepare legally and financially.

Alzheimer’s Care Alliance of Southwest Florida is designed to make that next step easier by bringing education, guidance, resource navigation, and community support into one place.

Explore the Data Further

For visitors who want to review national public-health information directly, these government resources remain available without routing visitors to another nonprofit organization.

• CDC — Dementia Signs and SymptomsIncludes national prevalence context and normal-aging comparisons.
• CDC — About Alzheimer’s DiseasePublic-health overview, risk, burden, and projections.
• CDC — Dementia CaregivingCaregiver characteristics, duration of care, and caregiver health.